In addition to the SW1/SW2 switches and Global transposition, you might also choose to assign the transpose function to switches in Tone Adjust mode, where you can specify exactly how many half-steps to transpose in either direction. Like the SW1/SW2 transpose, you'll find that many Programs already have this built-in._________________Richard Formidoni

This is where Yamaha and Kurzweil have got it down from a performance aspect, by having the transpose buttons (octave and semitone) built into the interface. For someone who does not use transpose very often, reassigning buttons or calling up a global function will be fine. But, for someone who uses transpose frequently and also wants to have full functionality of their buttons and patch screen, having to filp back and forth between the main patch screen and the global menu is not seemless. I have an M3 and when I play a song that has multiple modulations, I end up having to stick to a single patch because it is just too difficult.

This is where Yamaha and Kurzweil have got it down from a performance aspect, by having the transpose buttons (octave and semitone) built into the interface.

What Yamaha products are you referring to? At least the Motif series never had semi-tone transpose buttons and octave transpose is not really useful on the 88 keys versions (that's why Motif classic and ES 8 models did not even have those).

I have an M3 and when I play a song that has multiple modulations, I end up having to stick to a single patch because it is just too difficult.

RichF wrote:

In addition to the SW1/SW2 switches and Global transposition, you might also choose to assign the transpose function to switches in Tone Adjust mode, where you can specify exactly how many half-steps to transpose in either direction.

Seems pretty easy to me, if you take the time to set up your patches a bit... Instead of pressing one button, you press two (tone adjust mode+a specific switch).

Disadvantages:
You'll have to press those buttons again when you switch patches. This can be solved by using global.

Advantages:
You can have multiple transposition amounts set up early on, in case you have multiple modulation points on your song.

I would surely appreciate dedicated transpose keys for semitone and octaves such for the Pa3X... Mainly for "live mode" which is a domain for the Kronos.

Until new keyboard design, I think a software update could solve some issues by having a dedicated tabs on the SetList view...
There's only 3 tabs for now: Play, Edit and Controller... So, there's a lot of room for improvement on this menu

The Yamaha S90XS and the Kurzweil PC3 have dedicated semitone and octave transpose keys directly on the interface. These two boards were designed as performance keyboards.

When playing something that is pre-rehearsed, I suppose programming alternate switches and knobs can work for transpose on the front interface.

But..., when playing live (non-rehearsed) there is no way to predict where transpose will be needed and what patches you will be using, therefore lack of dedicated interface switches highly limits playability in a live performance mode.

But..., when playing live (non-rehearsed) there is no way to predict where transpose will be needed and what patches you will be using, therefore lack of dedicated interface switches highly limits playability in a live performance mode.